Retired NMFR division chief dies

Keith Brown served more than 16 years with district

North Metro Fire Rescue District officials paid their respect to retired Division Chief Keith Brown tomorrow at a memorial service in Boulder last week.

Brown, 66, died July 10 after a battle with cancer. He served more than 16 years with NMFR before retiring from his position as Division Chief of Fire Prevention in 2010.

“Chief Brown was a great advocate of the fire service and public safety and was a well-respected boss, colleague and friend to those who worked with him,” said North Metro Fire Chief David Ramos.

Before joining North Metro Fire, Brown was an Assistant Chief with the Lake Dillon Fire Authority and continued to be a volunteer and member of their Tactical Assistance Group for many years. He also served as a long-time volunteer firefighter and former chief of the Boulder Emergency Squad.

One of Chief Brown’s most noteworthy accomplishments during his tenure at North Metro Fire was graduating from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program with a perfect score, one of only a handful of graduates to do so in the history of the program. Chief Brown was also a published author of numerous research articles relating to the fire service.

“Chief Brown was instrumental in developing North Metro’s Fire Prevention Division to the standard it is today,” said current Divison Chief of Fire Prevention Steve Gosselin, who was hired by Brown. “If you ask his colleagues, many would credit his experience, fairness, perspective and ability to listen in making him a great leader under which to serve.”

Brown began working for North Metro Fire in August 1994 and retired in October 2010 but still remained an active volunteer in his community. Brown is survived by his longtime partner, Maryann Gaug.